Perhaps it was not even noticed 60 years ago, when the trees blocked the view of the forest, but Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe BOTH played singing "Vicki's" in 1954 movies (via A STAR IS BORN and THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS, respectively). Stranger yet, both of these "Vicki's" screen partners wreck cars in drunk driving accidents toward the end of these flicks. Strangest of all, both films close with their "Vicki's" singing at "benefit" shows for aged actors. Unfortunately, while STAR is a great classic, BUSINESS is just so-so entertainment, despite its montage of numbers from that prolific Tunesmith, Irving Berlin. Some of these ditties suck big time, particularly inept debuting actor Johnny Ray's solos. On the other hand, Monroe provides the main highlights, especially with her first solo, "After You Get What You Want, You Don't Want It" (which perfectly sums up the feelings toward her of Marilyn's real life husband around this time, "Yankee Clipper" Joe Dimaggio). Hollywood chewed up and spit out Frances Ethel Gumm and Norma Jean Baker, leaving Garland and Monroe to shine on forever as American icons whose personal truths were washed away in seas of private tears. But, as they say, THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS!
